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Light chain variable region diversity in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)
H Widholm1, A S Lundbäck, A Daggfeldt
1Department of Medical Immunology and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|July 13, 1999
Summary
Atlantic cod exhibit low V(L) domain variability, but this does not explain their failure to produce antibodies. Researchers found cod CDR variability and length are comparable to other species, ruling out these factors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Comparative Genomics
Background:
- Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) exhibit an impaired antibody response to immunization.
- Understanding the molecular basis of this immune deficiency is crucial for fisheries and aquaculture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if limited V(L) domain variability in Atlantic cod contributes to their poor antibody production.
- To analyze the characteristics of cod immunoglobulin light chain complementarity-determining regions (CDRs).
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of 33 cDNA and 2 genomic clones encoding cod V(L) regions.
- Estimation of CDR variability using the Shannon entropy method.
- Comparison of cod CDR variability, length, isoelectric points, and hydrophobicity with other vertebrate species.
Main Results:
- Cod V(L) CDR variability is higher than in little skate but lower than in Xenopus and mouse.
- Cod CDRs exhibit variability spread across a broader amino acid sequence.
- Cod CDR1 and CDR3 lengths are comparable to or exceed those in other species.
- Significant variation in isoelectric points and hydrophobicity was observed in cod Ig light chain domains.
Conclusions:
- The observed V(L) domain length, variability, and physicochemical properties of CDRs in Atlantic cod do not account for their inability to mount an antibody response.
- The cause of impaired antibody production in Atlantic cod remains to be elucidated.